Project 300 - Securing the Legacy – Securing the Legacy
400 years before the birth of Jesus the prophet Isaiah spoke to those who were living in a time of darkness and fear “ fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. “ Isaiah 43.1-2
Project 300 – Securing the Legacy
The Grade II* listed church of St George the Martyr Queen Square has been at the heart of Holborn for more than 300 years. Built as a chapel of ease for St Andrews Holborn Circus in 1706, the church has a fascinating history and is associated with a range of figures who greatly impacted the literary, medical and social landscape of the country, for example: Revd William Stukeley, who led the church from 1747 to 1765, was an antiquarian before he took holy orders and made some of the earliest maps of Stonehenge; Florence Lees Craven, pioneer of district nursing who was appointed the first superintendent general of the Metropolitan and National Nursing Association in 1874 and married Rev Dacre Craven in 1879; and William Brockedon, painter, writer and inventor who’s works are displayed in the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, worshipped at the church.
The proximity of two major specialist hospitals, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, makes the church an ideal refuge for pastoral support and quiet contemplation for people often facing some of the greatest challenges of their lives.
However, over its 300 years of continuous use, wear and tear have taken a toll on this architectural gem; from the restoration of its unique ceiling and columns by the world-renowned architect Sir Nicholas Hawksmoor to window replacement, tower repairs and full redecoration, St George the Martyr requires extensive capital work to safeguard the church and remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register, improve its facilities, and engage more people with its history and heritage. We need to get in back in great shape to serve God, the parish and the community here at the heart of London.
In December 2024, we were awarded a £380,000 development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.
Proposed Works
SGTM is proud to be working with a range of specialist consultants including Roger Mears Architects, Headland Design, Back Row, Azure Oxford, Leah Harrison Bailey Limited, Oculus Management, and a range of local organizations, to carry out this ambitious project. The proposed works are set to make a lasting impact by:
- delivering urgent repair and conservation works to preserve this historically significant church, including its important Hawksmoor ceiling and enable its removal from the Heritage at Risk Register
- transforming underutilised spaces to further develop the church as welcoming, active and inclusive
- delivering sustainability by renewing heating, lighting and AV systems to make the church a flexible space that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, increasing its impact culturally, commercially and for the community
- animating the church to further develop it as a resource for local residents and workforce, users of local health institutions and visitors to the area
- sharing the church’s wonderful history and the untold stories of the fascinating people associated with it
Current progress and next steps
In this development phase of the project, which runs to early 2027, we’ll work with architects, surveyors and community consultants to plan the conservation work, design the new facilities, develop our community activities and events programming, and develop a business plan.
These designs and plans will form the basis of our £3.5m Delivery Phase Grant Application to the Heritage Fund in Spring 2027 and if approved, we’ll move to the Delivery Phase in Summer 2027 with work completing in Winter 2029/30.
How you can help
We have secured 75% of the funds required for the development stage, the total cost of which is £613,889, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the church’s own limited reserves and the London Diocesan Fund, leaving a shortfall of £156,000.
We hope you will consider making a donation towards this project and help us to save this magnificent church, securing its future as an important place for worship, prayer, solace and quiet contemplation and engaging larger and more diverse audiences in its fascinating history and heritage. Any donation of any size will take us one step further to realising our transformative project.
How do I give?
You can give online by simple BACS payment, to set this up please email accounts@sgtm.org for the account details. If you are a taxpayer, you can enable us to claim gift aid back on your donations by giving through the following:
